Former winner Padraig Harrington has pulled out of next week's US PGA Championship, saying it is a "prudent" move amid the COVID-19 crisis.

The 2008 champion said he would be remaining in Ireland rather than travelling to San Francisco for what will be the first major of the year.

Harrington, who has also twice triumphed at the Open Championship, has not played on the PGA Tour since it emerged from lockdown and will not make the trip to TPC Harding Park.

The 48-year-old's last top-10 finish on the US tour came in 2016 and he has missed the cut at five of the last six US PGA Championships.

The popular Irishman hopes to return to play in future editions of the major, with all past winners eligible for exemptions to compete.

Harrington said in a statement posted on Twitter: "After much deliberation, I have decided not to travel to next week's PGA Championship.

"As COVID-19 currently looks to be under control in Ireland, I am taking the prudent approach by following the guidelines and reducing the risk as much as possible by staying at home.

"I'm sure I'll be watching every shot on TV with great interest and hopefully I'll have many more years to play in the PGA Championship."